First large-scale trial of genetically personalised treatment for breast cancer to start soonMarch 17, 2004Hamburg, Germany: The first large-scale independent trial to study the role of molecular tumour signatures in breast cancer will get underway in the coming year, scientists announced today (Friday March 19) at the 4th European Breast Cancer Conference. TRANS-BIG, a translational research network involving about 40 partners from all over Europe and from Latin America, is in late-stage negotiation with the European Commission for funding as a Network of Excellence under the 6th Framework Research Programme. Dr. Martine Piccart, Chair of the Breast International Group and head of the medical oncology department at the Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, said: "The traditional approach to clinical research in cancer has been the comparison of treatments through randomized clinical trials, with the extrapolation of an average benefit in a patient population to each individual. This often means that many patients are over- treated, while only a few derive a considerable benefit." Dr. Emiel Rutgers, from the Netherlands National Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, said: "The Amsterdam group developed a genetic signature that seems to be a very good instrument to predict whether the disease will come back. This new 'tool' will be validated through the MINDACT trial in breast cancer patients who do not have cancerous cells in the lymph nodes ('node-negative')." "MINDACT will use microarrays, a technology that is used to identify the specific molecular make-up or 'fingerprint' of a tumour. If the trial outcome is as expected, it will mean that it will be possible to spare patients at low risk of relapse from over-treatment with chemotherapy", said Dr. Piccart. "This will result in reduced side-effects and will also save health services from unnecessary costs." "Our trial will be the first to test this theory in practice on a large scale", said Dr. Rutgers. "We are very excited about this chance to ensure that each patient receives a treatment tailor-made to manage the particularities of her disease." MR Communication and Analysis Ltd |
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| Related Breast Cancer Current Events and Breast Cancer News Articles New figures on cancer in Europe show a steady decline in mortality but big variations New figures on deaths from cancer in Europe show a steady decline in mortality between the periods 1990-1994 and 2000-2004. Deaths from all cancers in the European Union (EU) between these two periods fell by nine percent in men and eight percent in women, with a large drop among the middle-aged population. Elastography reduces unnecessary breast biopsies Elastography is an effective, convenient technique that, when added to breast ultrasound, helps distinguish cancerous breast lesions from benign results, according to an ongoing study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). First live targeting of tumors with RNA-based technology Finding and treating a tumor without disturbing normal tissue presents challenges - sometimes the most effective therapies can be invasive and harsh. Menopause-cardiology consensus statement on cardiovascular disease and on HRT A menopause-cardiology consensus statement has called for direct action to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in menopausal women. The statement also concludes that there is little evidence of increased CVD risk in taking HRT. Researchers Identify Role of Gene in Tumor Development, Growth and Progression Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine researchers have identified a gene that may play a pivotal role in two processes that are essential for tumor development, growth and progression to metastasis. UCLA researchers create 'fly paper' to capture circulating cancer cells Just as fly paper captures insects, an innovative new device with nano-sized features developed by researchers at UCLA is able to grab cancer cells in the blood that have broken off from a tumor. Fertility procedures need not delay breast cancer treatment for younger women A new study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that breast cancer patients under 40 years old who undergo fertility preservation do not face a significant delay in the treatment of their disease when their care is coordinated in a timely fashion. Coffee break: Compound brewing new research in colon, breast cancer A compound in coffee has been found to be estrogenic in studies by Texas AgriLife Research scientists. Drugs to treat anemia in cancer patients linked to thromboembolism Medications frequently given to cancer patients to reduce their risk of anemia are associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, according to new research led by Dawn Hershman, M.D, M.S., co-director of the breast cancer program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Discovery in worms by Queen's researchers points to more targeted cancer treatment Researchers at Queen's University have found a link between two genes involved in cancer formation in humans, by examining the genes in worms. The groundbreaking discovery provides a foundation for how tumor-forming genes interact, and may offer a drug target for cancer treatment. More Breast Cancer Current Events and Breast Cancer News Articles |
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